Inaugural Balls Will Help Fight Hunger

‏Celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States, Tuesday, January 20th, while helping to fight hunger.

President Barack Obama helping out at a food bank recently. Agencies that help people avoid hunger ask Oregoians to mark the event by helping others, and having a great time in the process. Courtesy: obama.3cdn.net

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - To emphasize Obama's call to community service, the following local inaugural events ask attendees to bring food or fund donations to benefit Oregon Food Bank.

* Portland Inaugural Celebration BallScottish Rite Ballroom, 1512 S.W. MorrisonSponsored by Hub World Travel7 p.m. to midnight. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, no-host bar, entertainment and more.

Tickets are $75 in advance and $85 at the door. Proceeds will benefit Oregon Food Bank and the Royal Rosarian Foundation Field Trip Project. To purchase tickets, visit portlandinauguralball.com. For more information, contact Cheryl Thoen, (503) 939-5767, cthoen@teleport.com; or David Penilton, (503) 896-2464, david.penilton@gmail.com.

* The People's Inaugural Ball Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. BurnsideSponsored by Clear Channel RadioDoors open at 5:30 p.m. Open to age 21 and over. Free tickets available at KPOJ, 4949 S.W. Macadam. Bring a donation of two cans of food to benefit Oregon Food Bank. Watch a replay of the inauguration on the big screen while dancing to music by Commotion. For more information, contact Clear Channel, (503) 323-6400.

* Obama Inauguration CelebrationRoseland Theater, 8 N.W. Sixth Ave.Doors open at 6:00 PM. Open to all ages. Free tickets available at Music Millennium. Bring a donation of nonperishable food or funds for Oregon Food Bank.

Dance to music by Shock, Marlon McClain, Lilla D'Mone, Devin Philips, Cool Nutz, Animal Farm, Mic Crenshaw, Serge Severe, Slickslidedown, Linda Hornbuckle and Janice Scroggins. Contact Roger Sause, rogersause@sbcglobal.net for more information.

"These tough economic times affect us all, but our low-income neighbors are hardest-hit," says Rachel Bristol, OFB's executive director and CEO.

"We need the support of the entire community to respond to this dramatic increase in need, especially after the holidays when donations usually drop off."

Most wanted foods include soups, stew, chili, boxed meals, canned meats, peanut butter, canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, rice, cereal and canola oil.

For more information or to donate online, visit oregonfoodbank.org.

Oregon Food Bank is a nonprofit, charitable organization. It is the hub of a statewide network of more than 915 hunger-relief agencies serving Oregon and Clark County, Wash. OFB recovers food from farms, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and governments sources. It then delivers that food to 20 regional food banks across Oregon.

Sixteen are independent charitable organizations. OFB directly operates the four regional food banks serving the Portland metropolitan area, southeast Oregon and Tillamook County. Those four centers distribute food to 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs helping low-income individuals in Clackamas, Clark Multnomah, Washington, Harney, Malheur and Tillamook counties.

Source: Oregon Food Bank